SPOKANE, Wash. - The wife of Spokane businessman Doug Carlile, Elberta Carlile says her husband was a kind man who was shot protecting her, she believes. Elberta Carlile was in the home the night her husband Doug was murdered. Court documents say Elberta heard Doug pleading with the gunman saying "don't do anything", then she heard several gunshots.More >>

SPOKANE, Wash. - The details surrounding the murder of Doug Carlile, 63, read like a hard boiled detective novel: business deals gone wrong, two-bit thugs in over their heads, murder for hire, and the lawless oil fields of North Dakota. But Spokane Police detectives say all of those elements, and more, played into Carlile's murder.More >>

SPOKANE, Wash. - The details surrounding the murder of Doug Carlile, 63, read like a hard boiled detective novel: business deals gone wrong, two-bit thugs in over their heads, murder for hire, and the lawless oil fields of North Dakota. But Spokane Police detectives say all of those elements, and more, played into Carlile's murder.More >>

SPOKANE, Wash. - New documents released on Wednesday paint a clearer picture of what transpired between Doug Carlile, his business associates, and what led to his eventual death.More >>

SPOKANE, Wash. - New documents released on Wednesday paint a clearer picture of what transpired between Doug Carlile, his business associates, and what led to his eventual death in what police are calling a complicated murder-for-hire-plot.More >>

SPOKANE, Wash. - In court documents released Wednesday, Spokane Police believe they found the weapon that killed Doug Carlile in a murder-for-hire plot.More >>

SPOKANE, Wash. - In court documents released Wednesday, Spokane Police believe they found the weapon that killed Doug Carlile in a murder-for-hire plot. Police say they found about 20 guns believed to be owned by Suckow on a piece of property owned by a co-worker of Suckow in north Spokane.More >>

SPOKANE, Wash. - This statement on the arrest of Timothy Suckow for the murder of Doug Carlile was released by Spokane Police Chief Frank Straub: "Today, less than one month after the murder of Doug Carlile, Spokane Police Major Crimes Detectives have arrested a suspect, Timothy Suckow. SPD Major Crimes detectives have been relentless in their investigation of this incident.More >>

SPOKANE, Wash. - This statement on the arrest of Timothy Suckow for the murder of Doug Carlile was released by Spokane Police Chief Frank Straub: "Today, less than one month after the murder of Doug Carlile, Spokane Police Major Crimes Detectives have arrested a suspect, Timothy Suckow. SPD Major Crimes detectives have been relentless in their investigation of this incident.More >>

SPOKANE, Wash. - New court documents released on Wednesday say south hill murder victim Douglas Carlile was dead when police arrived Sunday night. Documents also confirm that Carlile's wife was hiding in the closet, and told police that someone broke into their home and shot her husband. When officers arrived they found the back door open and Carlile was on the floor in the kitchen.More >>

UPDATE: Spokane Major Crimes wants anyone who has done business with South Hill murder victim Doug Carlile to come forward.More >>

UPDATE: Spokane Major Crimes wants anyone who has done business with South Hill murder victim Doug Carlile to come forward. Call Crime Check 509-456-2233 if you have any information. Police are also asking the public to be on the lookout for a vehicle of interest. The vehicle appears to be an early 2000's model Dodge extended cab van.More >>

KHQ.COM - The Spokane County Medical Examiner's Office has confirmed the identity of the man killed on Spokane's South Hill.More >>

KHQ.COM - The Spokane County Medical Examiner's Office has confirmed the identity and the cause of death of the man who was killed on December 15, 2013 on the 2500 Block of Garfield. Name: Douglas Carlile Age: 63 Cause: Gunshot Wounds Manner: HomicideMore >>

SPOKANE, Wash. -
SPOKANE, Wash. - In a hearing that lasted less than five minutes, Timothy Suckow, the man suspected of murdering Doug Carlile, pleaded not guilty to Carlile's murder. Suckow simply stated his name and his not guilty plea in the short proceeding inside the Spokane County Courthouse. His bond was maintained at $2,000,000.

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A Spokane man was arrested late Monday night in the murder investigation of South Hill businessman Doug Carlile, 63. Timothy Suckow, 50, was arrested on a First Degree Murder charge and made his first court appearance Tuesday afternoon. Prosecutors asked Suckow be held on a $2 million bond. In court, the family of Doug Carlile spoke to KHQ and told reporters that Spokane Police did a commendable job and "haven't let up."

The Murder

Doug Carlile was murdered December 15th, 2013 when he and his wife returned to their home in the 2500 block of S. Garfield Rd. It was a Sunday night when an intruder confronted Doug Carlile in the kitchen. His wife had gone upstairs, but returned to the kitchen when she heard the commotion.

She told police that her husband was talking to a white man that she did not know. That man was wearing all black, had gloves on, and was pointing a gun at her husband. She ran upstairs and heard gunfire, then called 911. When police arrived they found her husband dead in the kitchen, and his wife hiding upstairs in a closet.

The Investigation

From the beginning, Spokane Police said this was not a random attack. They believed that Doug Carlile was targeted and were searching into Carlile's past to find out why someone would want him dead. Witnesses said they saw a white caravan looking Chevy van. The van was also seen on a nearby business's surveillance camera. In the Carlile's backyard, detectives found a black glove, likely worn by the killer. The only possible lead detectives had was the white van. Detectives received a list of all Chevrolet extended cab vans in the Spokane area. A Spokane Valley business, IRS Environmental, had one of them. Detectives impounded that 1995 Chevrolet van and executed a search warrant on it. In the van they found items that belonged to Timothy Suckow. DNA samples from the leather glove, found in the Carlile's backyard, matched Timothy Suckow. That was enough for police to move on Suckow's arrest.

Timothy Suckow

Suckow is a 50-year-old man with a criminal history in Spokane that dates back to the 1980's. He has at least two burglaries on his record. Nothing more than that in Washington. His last arrest was in 1983 and he was under supervision by the Department of Corrections from 1984 to 1991. Suckow does not have any more arrests from the early 90's to this week, but he does have a history of mental illness. In 1995, during an interview at Eastern Hospital, Suckow said "I'm always hearing voices. Satan talking to me, to kill myself or cut myself up.

When I get mad I get explosive and dangerous. Mostly to myself." Court documents also say Suckow has "a history of devil worshiping, explosive anger."James Henrikson and the North Dakota Oil IndustryAs far as detectives or family have told KHQ, there is no reason to believe that Doug Carlile had any relationship with Timothy Suckow. Carlile did, however, have an extensive business relationship with a man named James Henrikson. Carlile had recently entered into the oil business in North Dakota, where he met James Henrikson. James Henrikson has an extensive criminal history that ranges all over the Northwest, from Oregon to the Tri-Cities.

Family members told KHQ that Doug Carlile has said, "If I disappear or wake up with bullets in my back, promise me you will let everyone know that James Henrikson did it."Spokane Police Detectives have been to North Dakota to interview James Henrikson. He denied having played any role in the murder of Doug Carlile even saying he had no idea why someone would want to hurt Doug Carlile. However, court documents show that Henrikson did tell police that Carlile owed him $1.88 million. Court documents show that Henrickson also told detectives that he is "very angry" with Carlile, and that Carlile "does not pay people the money they are owed."

A confidential informant told police he has "personally heard Henrickson threaten to kill Carlile."Carlile's son told police that in late August or early September, Henrikson showed up to his office and demanded $400,000. He told Carlile's son that if Carlile did not pay up "something bad could happen to me and my family." Carlile's son admitted to loaning his father a gun for his protection, just prior to the murder.One of Henrikson's employees has a "Mexican Mafia" tattoo and has gone to prison for murder.

That employee denied that Henrikson asked him to find someone to kill Carlile.Court documents suggest that Henrikson is currently under federal investigation for defrauding an energy company out of millions of dollars. At this time we don't know how Henrickson and Suckow knew each other, but records say that Suckow's cell phone listed "James ND" as a contact, with Henrickson's cell phone number.

Moving Forward

Spokane Police will not say whether there will be further arrests. Timothy Suckow will be charged with First-Degree Murder. His trial date has not yet been decided.

BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) - A man is dead after crashing his all-terrain vehicle on a remote trail in southwestern Montana. The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reports a search that included two helicopters was launched after 76-year-old Stanley Hamilton's wife reported him overdue Wednesday night. The Bozeman man had been riding his ATV in the Little Bear area near the mouth of Gallatin Canyon. His body was found early Thursday morning on a

BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) - A man is dead after crashing his all-terrain vehicle on a remote trail in southwestern Montana. The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reports a search that included two helicopters was launched after 76-year-old Stanley Hamilton's wife reported him overdue Wednesday night. The Bozeman man had been riding his ATV in the Little Bear area near the mouth of Gallatin Canyon. His body was found early Thursday morning on a

SPOKANE, Wash. - If you’ve driven down 37th Avenue between Grand and Perry on Spokane’s South Hill, you’ve probably seen a sign that reads “What are you grateful for today?” Trevor Finchamp hung the sign on his tree in his front yard earlier this summer. “I think when someone drives by they get a quick glimpse of it on this street,” said Finchamp. “But maybe that thought sticks in their heads for a couple minutes and gives them

SPOKANE, Wash. - If you’ve driven down 37th Avenue between Grand and Perry on Spokane’s South Hill, you’ve probably seen a sign that reads “What are you grateful for today?” Trevor Finchamp hung the sign on his tree in his front yard earlier this summer. “I think when someone drives by they get a quick glimpse of it on this street,” said Finchamp. “But maybe that thought sticks in their heads for a couple minutes and gives them

ATHOL, Idaho - So many of us are dreading winter, but likely nothing like one North Idaho family. Last winter, their roof began to leak causing caused flooding and countless sleepless nights. The family said they were getting nowhere on their own until they said, Help me Hayley. "You do anything for your kids," Karen Jensen said. Karen's daughter Leslie is in her late 40's, but as so many mothers can relate to, she'll always be her baby. "More than

ATHOL, Idaho - So many of us are dreading winter, but likely nothing like one North Idaho family. Last winter, their roof began to leak causing caused flooding and countless sleepless nights. The family said they were getting nowhere on their own until they said, Help me Hayley. "You do anything for your kids," Karen Jensen said. Karen's daughter Leslie is in her late 40's, but as so many mothers can relate to, she'll always be her baby. "More than

SPOKANE, Wash. - A woman and her child are continuing to recover after being sent to the hospital Wednesday night when they got hit by a car in a Costco parking lot. The two were initially trapped under the vehicle. Though the case is still under investigation, we wanted to know, what makes a parking lot safe? Gordon Meth, a transportation Engineer with Robson Forensic says the bigger the shopping center, the greater the risks. Consider

SPOKANE, Wash. - A woman and her child are continuing to recover after being sent to the hospital Wednesday night when they got hit by a car in a Costco parking lot. The two were initially trapped under the vehicle. Though the case is still under investigation, we wanted to know, what makes a parking lot safe? Gordon Meth, a transportation Engineer with Robson Forensic says the bigger the shopping center, the greater the risks. Consider

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) - Eastern Idaho officials say two rabid bats were recently found in Idaho Falls and Swan Valley. According to an Eastern Idaho Public Health news release, bats are the only animal in the state known to be natural carriers of the potentially fatal virus. Epidemiologist Ken Anderson says rabies can be transmitted to humans and other animals that have been bitten, scratched or come in close contact with an infected bat.

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) - Eastern Idaho officials say two rabid bats were recently found in Idaho Falls and Swan Valley. According to an Eastern Idaho Public Health news release, bats are the only animal in the state known to be natural carriers of the potentially fatal virus. Epidemiologist Ken Anderson says rabies can be transmitted to humans and other animals that have been bitten, scratched or come in close contact with an infected bat.

SPOKANE, Wash. - While summer is still surrounding us, the inevitable changing of the seasons isn't too far away. The City of Spokane Street Department is working to finalize updates to its Snow Response Plan ahead of the first snowfall. The city says it's committed to making changes to the plan following last year's heavy snowfall and the concerns about how it addressed the snow. According to the city, citizens will see: More plowing,

SPOKANE, Wash. - While summer is still surrounding us, the inevitable changing of the seasons isn't too far away. The City of Spokane Street Department is working to finalize updates to its Snow Response Plan ahead of the first snowfall. The city says it's committed to making changes to the plan following last year's heavy snowfall and the concerns about how it addressed the snow. According to the city, citizens will see: More plowing,

So it begins. We are just a few short days away from the 2017 solar eclipse. T-minus 3 days, to be exact. The anticipation for the eclipse may actually *eclipse* the actual event with traffic jams and fuel shortages. Traffic to the path of totality has become a total fiasco. The Oregon Department of Transportation says it might be the most traffic the state has ever seen. So what better way to pass the time while you wait for traffic to dissipate? Take a selfie, o...

So it begins. We are just a few short days away from the 2017 solar eclipse. T-minus 3 days, to be exact. The anticipation for the eclipse may actually *eclipse* the actual event with traffic jams and fuel shortages. Traffic to the path of totality has become a total fiasco. The Oregon Department of Transportation says it might be the most traffic the state has ever seen. So what better way to pass the time while you wait for traffic to dissipate? Take a selfie, o...

SPOKANE, Wash. - If you didn't get a chance to snag a pair of eclipse glasses, there's a different way you can still view the eclipse. It's called a pinhole projector, and it's a fun arts and crafts project you can do with your kids at home. All you need is an old cereal box, scissors, a white sheet of paper, tape and aluminum foil. Here's more information here: https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/how-make-pinhole-projector-view-solar-eclipse

SPOKANE, Wash. - If you didn't get a chance to snag a pair of eclipse glasses, there's a different way you can still view the eclipse. It's called a pinhole projector, and it's a fun arts and crafts project you can do with your kids at home. All you need is an old cereal box, scissors, a white sheet of paper, tape and aluminum foil. Here's more information here: https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/how-make-pinhole-projector-view-solar-eclipse

SPOKANE, Wash. - As we all know, solar eclipses have been going on since the beginning of time. Naturally, some myths formed to make sense of some things that may have happened. But NASA wants to correct these misconceptions using science. The first myth is that "if you're pregnant, you shouldn't watch the eclipse because it could harm your baby." NASA says there's no truth to that. This is related to the idea that there is harmful radiation emitted during an eclipse.

SPOKANE, Wash. - As we all know, solar eclipses have been going on since the beginning of time. Naturally, some myths formed to make sense of some things that may have happened. But NASA wants to correct these misconceptions using science. The first myth is that "if you're pregnant, you shouldn't watch the eclipse because it could harm your baby." NASA says there's no truth to that. This is related to the idea that there is harmful radiation emitted during an eclipse.